Caterpillar Inc.

Michael A Weber

Evan Earl Jacobson

Brad Robert Van De Veer

Norval P Thomson

Eric Wade Cler

David C Copley

Michael Lynn Johnson

A method for assisting an operator in operating a machine. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a selection of a task of a plurality of tasks, each task associated with a corresponding movement pattern of the machine; sensing, by a sensor unit, at least one condition of at least one component of the machine associated with the selected task; and determining, by the controller, whether the condition is within a predetermined set of parameters associated with the selected task. In response to determining that the condition is not within the predetermined set of parameters, the method further includes generating, by the controller, an audible or a haptic signal associated with at least one of the condition or the at least one component.

Method for assisting or training operators to operate machines

A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings, and a user interface providing an operator selection of at least two gear identifiers of a whole number. Each whole number gear identifiers corresponds to high idle speeds for respective gear settings. The user interface provides a signal indicative of selected gear identifier to an electronic controller, which also receives and transmits signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions which determine an optimal gear setting and whether a gear shift should be made.

Shift control and method

A machine has a power train including a prime mover connected to a transmission having two or more selectable gear settings. The machine includes an electronic controller configured to receive and transmit signals indicative of machine parameters. The electronic controller contains computer executable instructions for determining a current value for at least one efficiency metric of the machine at a current gear setting of the transmission. Instructions for determining a first expected value for the efficiency metric at a first alternative gear setting, instructions for comparing the current value with the first expected value to determine an optimal gear setting as between the current gear setting and the first alternative gear setting at least partially based on engine speed, and instructions for indicating a gear shift recommendation and/or performing a gear shift to select the optimal gear setting are executed during operation.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Michael A Weber